Lessons 1&2 Revelation 1:1-19 Prologue and Christ Among the Lampstands

Transcription

1 Lessons 1&2 Revelation 1:1-19 Prologue and Christ Among the Lampstands

2 Chapter 1 Overview An introduction A blessing The address The coming The setting The Son of Man Instructions The appearance The reaction Further instructions

3 Lessons for Today Several times the point is made that these things will come about soon. We should be careful in our interpretation of the book not to conclude that most of it is out in the distant future. How do we approach the Word of God? Is it merely an academic exercise? Or, do we truly read, hear, and keep? He is coming again. Will we mourn or rejoice when that time comes? Are you ready for His coming? We too should fall at the feet of Jesus. Recognize his awesome power and humble ourselves in His sight and to His will.

4 Introduction and Blessing This first part of the chapter might be called the prologue. What is that? A separate introductory section of a literary work; an introductory scene of a play V. 1 Revelation (apokalupsis) an uncovering To whom this revealing is provided to show His servants Q. 4 When were the things revealed in this book to be fulfilled? shortly take place (tachos) literally in haste, speedily, quickly See also 1:3 and 22:10 (at hand) Any interpretation that places the fulfillment two thousand years or more later is false Signified by His angel literally, the manner that this was revealed to John was through signs

5 Introduction and Blessing Vv. 1 2 To John His servant ; also, one who witnessed the Word of God V. 3 The first beatitude in the book Beatitude supreme blessedness A number of others: 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 22:14 For this one the blessing is on the one who does what? Reads, hears, and keeps the things written God s favor is pronounced on all who do this

6 Introduction and Blessing What should be our attitude toward God s word? An important point to the readers at that time Not merely an academic exercise. Not simply informational, but inspirational How do we approach it? As just a curiosity? Let us heed the admonition read, hear (understand), and keep (act, follow, apply) Adds again, the time is near (eggus) at hand, nigh, ready

7 The Address Vv. 4 6 Starts out addressing the 7 churches with the standard greeting : grace and peace Q1. By what three divine personages was this delivered to John? This message is not his own but is from the 3 persons of the godhead: The Father Him who is and who was and who is to come eternal nature and a promise of His coming The Spirit designated as the seven Spirits before the throne Symbolically not literally perfection, completeness, and universality of the Spirit s working Before the throne ever ready to carry out His purpose and will The Son named as Jesus Christ The faithful witness the One who is revealing this to John Firstborn from the dead shows power over death The One who now reigns over kings of the earth they are in fact in subjection to Him

8 The Address Vv. 4 6 (cont.) John further exalts this faithful witness: The One who loved us washed us from our sins in His blood Made us kings and priests they were of such importance in the spiritual kingdom Praise for Him: glory and dominion forever and ever Message to the Christians not one of defeat and smallness, but one of victory and greatness This is from the very God of Heaven. The three persons of the Godhead. Given personally to us the people of that day (and by extension to us)

9 The Announcement V. 7 Behold idou an imperative lo or behold take note coming with clouds Phrase is common in apocalyptic literature The Lord is coming in judgment; can be any form of judgment or even the final judgment E.g. Dan. 7:13; Mt. 24:30 With this judgment every eye will see Him those who pierced Him those responsible for His death An element of the vengeance of the Lord and judgment upon the evil doers Broader than just those directly responsible; judgment upon all mankind all the tribes of the earth Reaction not one of joy but of mourning Judgment has come upon them Mourn kopto wail; to beat the breast in grief A condition of utter hopelessness

10 The Announcement V. 8 Alpha and Omega first and last letters of Greek alphabet Beginning (arche) a commencement, beginning, magistrate, power, principle, rule End (telos) the conclusion, result, end, finally, uttermost V. 11 same description of the Son of Man with slightly different Greek words used there: the first and the last First (protos) foremost, before, beginning, best, chief, first (of all), former Last (eschatos) farthest, final, last, latter end, uttermost Adds same designation as v. 4 is, was, is to come He is the beginning and end of all things; He brought all things into existence and will be the One to end its existence He is the chiefest of all and the uttermost He is eternal An interesting and concise way of describing God s Omniscience, Omnipresence, and Omnipotence the Almighty (pantokrator) the all ruling, i.e. God, as absolute and universal sovereign

11 The Setting V. 9 On the isle of Patmos Q1 How does John, the writer, introduce himself to the readers? Brother and companion in tribulation connects himself with the readers and what they are going through Most likely why he was on the isle a form of punishment banishment V. 10 in the spirit Some state of vision connected with the Holy Spirit (see it also in 4:2 and 17:3) Perhaps similar to Paul s experience 2 Cor. 12:1 7 Also, Ezekiel (Ezek. 3:12) and Daniel (Dan. 7:1,2,13)

12 The Setting V. 10 On the Lord s Day When is that? Sunday; 1st day of the week. How do we know? Only place in the Bible we find this phrase Lord s means literally belonging to the Lord Jesus was raised, the Spirit came upon the apostles, the church began, and the early church met The Lord s supper was observed (same word Lord s used in 1 Cor. 11:20) Also, early secular writers adopt this phrase and connect it with the church meeting on the 1st day of the week

13 The Setting V. 10 The voice John then hears a voice; describes it as being like a trumpet Trumpets: One of the loudest of instruments Used to announce or declare Very common in that day to have them blow a fanfare as nobles made their entrance Descriptive of the loudness and clarity of the voice, but also as something of an introduction of this noblest of all

14 The Setting V. 11 Alpha and Omega connects it with the author of the Book (v. 8); here, connected with the Son of Man the Christ Instructions: to write what he sees not simply provided to him verbally but also visually The churches are first named Not the only churches in Asia Would seem they intended to be symbolic Still, book was likely circulated among these But also circulated among many others, even to this day

15 The Son of Man V. 12 John turns to see an amazing and glorious sight Seven golden lampstands the churches They are individual, autonomous Gold the metal used in vessels of divine service Purpose to support and give light If it gives no light, its purpose fails and the candlestick removed V. 13 In the middle, One like the Son of Man Why does He use this description? Identifies Him with Jesus (82 times in the Gospels) Emphasizes His humanity and Messianic nature Came to minister to the needs of mankind; can relate In the middle able to observe each lampstand Clothing full length garment and golden band or girdle A sign of high rank and office in the culture of that day

16 The Son of Man V. 14 Head and hair white likened to wool and snow Fresh snow in the bright sunlight white as white can be and almost blinding Purity and connects to Daniel s Ancient of Days (Dan. 7:9) Eyes like a flame of fire Piercing and burning through any He looks at Able to penetrate to the heart and soul; can see the thoughts and intents that are there Also, implies wrath and righteous indignation

17 The Son of Man V. 15 Feet like fine brass (refined in a furnace) As though feet are still hot and aglow When He comes in judgment, everything His feet touches will be tread down and turned to ash Fierce will be that judgment Similar to Mal. 4:3 Voice as the sound of many waters Imagine the sound of the ocean waves crashing on rocks; or flood waters rolling along Incredible power the sound conveys that idea This is His voice filled with great and awesome power; full of resolve

18 The Son of Man V. 16 Seven stars in His right hand See later (v. 20) that these are the angels of the churches Angels could be simply messengers of the churches Right hand suggests protection, security and control of their destiny Sharp two edged sword out of His mouth Word of God is described same way (Heb. 4:12) pierces man s heart and lays bare what is there By God s word that all shall be judged Jn. 12:48, 2 Thes. 1: 8 The Lord s readiness to judge and do battle Countenance like the sun in its strength Sums up the whole incredible vision So overpowering, like looking at the sun full on As Harkrider writes, Such a Lord who is so glorious in might should challenge man s disobedience and shame every inclination to follow his own wisdom.

19 John s Reaction V. 17 Q7 What did John do when he saw the Son of man? John fell at His feet as dead Fully prostrate ; completely humbled Can there be any other reaction than this? Complete and total subjugation; giving all honor and reverence; mixed with fear of the powerful judge before Him He places His right hand on John Do not fear John has nothing to fear; He knows this One; it His Lord and friend Identifies with the earlier description of the author of the book and the One speaking to him the first and last same words as used in v. 11

20 The Son of Man s Answer V. 18 Further describes Himself Lives, was dead, and is alive forevermore Jesus the Christ allusion to eternal nature and sacrificial death He has the keys of Hades and Death Nothing to fear because Jesus has power over death He delivered mankind from that power by His resurrection Heb. 2: Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

21 Final Instructions V. 19 Tells John to write what he sees in these visions the prophecies of God Message was important to those of John s day needed to know what was to come especially those things that would happen shortly as the book plainly says They should not despair or give up hope They should stay true to this mighty God for He is on their side They may not understand what they are going through, but they can know that they will ultimately be victorious and be with the Lord in the end This message is as relevant to us today as it was to them

22 Lessons for Today Several times the point is made that these things will come about soon. We should be careful in our interpretation of the book not to conclude that most of it is out in the distant future. How do we approach the Word of God? Is it merely an academic exercise? Or, do we truly read, hear, and keep? He is coming again. Will we mourn or rejoice when that time comes? Are you ready for His coming? We too should fall at the feet of Jesus. Recognize his awesome power and humble ourselves in His sight and to His will.

23 Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10